While the world seeks answers in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Turkey has found leverage against Saudi Arabia.

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The Geopolitics of a Journalist’s Death

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday described new details of the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Calling the Saudi journalist’s killing a “savage murder,” Erdogan said the 18 Saudis suspected of carrying it out should be tried in Turkish courts. But there’s also a complex political context surrounding the case. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have had a long-standing competition as Sunni Muslim Middle East powers, one that has played out in the relationship between Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

-- While the president and some GOP candidates try to convince voters that they support protections for preexisting conditions, the Trump administration has taken new steps to make it easier for health plans that don’t have to cover them.

-- No more “Lyin’ Ted”: Trump took the stage in Houston to deliver a message unthinkable two years ago to many of his most ardent fans: Vote for Ted Cruz.

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A Campaign Issue That Won’t Go Away

California’s homelessness crisis is taking center stage in the final two weeks of the governor’s race. Republican candidate John Cox, who visited L.A.’s skid row last week and likened it to a “third-world country,” has ramped up his attacks on Gavin Newsom. The Democrat has countered by saying his efforts as mayor of San Francisco show he’s willing to take unpopular positions — such as slashing welfare for homeless adults and using the money for shelters, housing and services.

The Scoop on Musk’s Secret Tunnel

What is going on underneath the streets of Hawthorne? Though Elon Musk’s Boring Co. began digging last year, not much has been revealed about a test tunnel for his vision of a transportation system known as “Loop” — other than that he plans to offer free rides to the public in December. Documents submitted to city officials offer a glimpse of what is to come, including an elevator shaft the company wants to build inside the garage of a shabby house near the Hawthorne Municipal Airport.

More Fallout for a USC Doctor

Dr. George Tyndall, the longtime campus gynecologist at USC and subject of a Times investigation earlier this year, is facing more potential trouble. He could lose his medical license after state regulators formally accused him of negligence and sexual misconduct with several patients. Tyndall has denied any wrongdoing. Last week, USC announced it had agreed to pay $215 million to settle a federal class-action lawsuit brought by several former patients.

Back in Beantown

The World Series opens tonight with the Dodgers facing the Red Sox for the first time in 102 years — and in the city where the “Beat L.A.” chant apparently was born. Though it originated at a basketball game, those two words will be heard loud and clear at Boston’s Fenway Park. More intriguing will be how the fans react to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who became a Red Sox legend in 2004 when he stole a base that sparked a comeback that ended the Curse of the Bambino.

It’s time for Dodger baseball history: Back on this date in 1981, Fernando Valenzuela pitched a complete game in the World Series to beat the New York Yankees, 5 to 4, at Dodger Stadium. It would prove a turning point, as the Dodgers won the next three games to capture the title.

-- Columnist Robin Abcarian checks in with Sonoma City Councilwoman Rachel Hundley, who had to defend herself after she was “slut-shamed.”

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

-- The tough job of holding next year’s Oscars ceremony to three hours goes to producer Donna Gigliotti and co-producer/director Glenn Weiss. You may remember him from proposing to his girlfriend at the Emmys.

-- PBS is starting its four-part documentary “Native America,” and TV critic Robert Lloyd notes that it could not be more timely, though perhaps more in depth.

Tennis is Angela Kulikov’s game at USC, but she has more than just a passing interest in another sport: Football, anyone? She earned her USA Youth Football coaching certification so she could lead her brother Chris’ team and has an Instagram account (@theqbchick) that shows off her mad skills. The videos have gone viral to the point that passersby on campus now ask, “Are you the QB chick?”

Lawmakers passed a bill targeting pornographic “deep fakes.” The technology has been used to digitally graft the face of a person into a pornographic film without the people involved knowing or consenting to it.